Indigenous Food Systems Network

Because indigenous groups are unable to conduct much if any conservation work if their livelihood needs are not met, ACT works with its partners to develop both sustainable traditional agriculture and income generation programs. For ACT's indigenous partners, the "sustainable" part of "sustainable development" typically is second nature, but they often need help in identifying market needs and training in product development.

In cases where the object is not to generate income but merely to provide for their own sustenance, they may need resources to implement self-generated, small-scale farming projects that are based on traditional ecological methods. Where applicable, traditional methods are stressed in ACT's sustainable development programs in order to promote indigenous community identity and cohesion, which are strengthened by a recognition of the expertise and self-sufficiency inherent in ancestral ways.